Bushkill man sues Martz for injuries in bus crash

Thursday

Jan 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

A Bushkill man suffers from severe injuries and continues to pay expensive medical bills because of a Martz bus crash on Interstate 380 in Lackawanna County that killed one person, according to a lawsuit against the bus company and driver filed Monday.

STEVE McCONNELL

A Bushkill man suffers from severe injuries and continues to pay expensive medical bills because of a Martz bus crash on Interstate 380 in Lackawanna County that killed one person, according to a lawsuit against the bus company and driver filed Monday.

Anthony Santiago is suing Wilkes-Barre-based Martz Trailways Co. and its driver, Patrick Graham, who was behind the wheel of the bus that killed a man standing beside his disabled vehicle on the highway the night of March 6, 2011.

Driving in poor visibility and on a snow-covered highway, Graham, 69, of Old Forge, lost control of the bus in Clifton Township when he tried to get out of the way of another vehicle that was disabled on the road.

Although maneuvering past that vehicle, he ended up striking 41-year-old Lamont Phillips of Pittston, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The bus then hit a guardrail and rolled onto its side.

Santiago was inflicted with numerous physical and mental injuries including neck, back, spine, shoulder and chest pain and "shock to his nerves and nervous system," the suit claims.

Since the crash, he has spent a "substantial" amount of money for ongoing medical treatment, is unable to go about his daily routine and has lost the "pleasures of life," the suit stats. Filed in Lackawanna County Court, it seeks more than $100,000.

Efforts to reach a Martz representative on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Graham and 29 passengers were taken to area hospitals for treatment, according to state police. At least four passengers and Phillips' wife, Rene Phillips, suffered moderate injuries, and at least 14 suffered minor injuries, including Graham.